Dog Cough Ongoing for 2 to 3 Months

My 13 year old cocker spaniel Molly has been suffering from a cough for about 2-3 months now. I have taken her to the vet a few times.

The vet thought at first that it was a collapsing trachea. Prescribed her Hydrocodone. Didn't fix it.

Then I decided to do an x-ray, vet said it was bronchitis, prescribed Hydrocodone, Theophylline, Clavamox, and Guaifenesin, finished it all but the guaifenesin(they prescribed alot). That didn't work so I requested steroids.

They weren't wanting to do it at first because of her age, but I told them she has taken them plenty of times for her ears, she will be fine. She prescribed us prednisone. They seemed to be working, I had been on top of giving her meds every 4 hours(benadryl, sometimes guaifenesin when the cough was worse than normal), everything was great, she went a whole night without coughing which was HUGE!

I went out of town for vacation and was having a friend give her her steroids once a day, our roommate is never home during the day to keep up with the every 4 hour regimen, so we figured a friend coming once a day is better than nothing.

I returned a week later to find her cough fairly active again. It's surely not at its worst, but its way worse than when I left!

It sounds kind of wet, deep and low sounding, and her breathing is slow and labored, at least it seems that way. Her breaths are 20 breaths per minute. I say labored because I can see in her stomach an exaggerated rise and fall, where as with my 3 year old dog, I can hardly see his breaths! ha!

I researched holistic options today and purchased raw honey and licorice root so I'm giving that to her in between and gave her coconut oil with her food. I just started that so maybe I shouldn't jump the gun with submitting this, but I am desperate, am I doing the right thing?

Comments for Dog Cough Ongoing for 2 to 3 Months

Hi Leslie,
For Molly's cough, I would be interested in seeing her x-rays. From what you describe, I am worried about her heart. And it would be good to know if she has a murmur, if she has been tested for heartworm, and if she is on prevention for heartworm. Possibly, the diagnosis regarding the bronchitis is really not from irritation but other possibilities, such as from a fungal or bacterial infection. Neither of which would respond to antibiotics or steroids. Recently, a subscriber had their dog diagnosed with a chronic cough of 6 months duration, that was finally diagnosed with mega-esophagus!! So, that was why none of the cough suppressants were working! This may be the case with Molly, and you should have a second opinion on her x-rays by a board certified veterinary radiologist.

2. She needs to be on a healthy low sodium diet with plenty of moisture. NO DRY dog food. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options, http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/10-best-dog-food-options.html. And consider a RAW diet for your dog.

3. And NO MORE vaccinations. If she is due for Rabies, then seek the help of a holistic veterinarian to write her an exemption.

4. You will need to find the correct diagnosis, in order to treat Molly's problem.

You wrote,
"purchased raw honey and licorice root so I'm giving that to her in between and gave her coconut oil with her food"
This is not going to hurt her, but I do not think it will help too much if we do not know the correct diagnosis. Since you have been giving her the cortisone, you will need to also give her MILK THISTLE (8mg per lb TWO times daily). This herb will help repair liver tissue. Cortisone will adversely affect her liver. If she weighs 25-30 lbs, then give her 200-240 mg TWO times daily, and make sure you camouflage it in her food.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Jun 30, 2014

mollyby: leslie

They ruled out anything with her heart and does not have a murmur. So the 200 mg is for the milk thistle? Just because you said 8mg at first, just want to be sure. She does have xrays can I get these to you? She is currently on dry food so I will get her on wet food right away...I just want to be sure it won't make her gain weight. Will these options help if it is fungal or bacterial? Should I stop the licorice root?

Jun 30, 2014

mollyby: leslie

Sorry I misread the milk thistle part. Got it! She has also been tested for heartworm and does not have that.

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In the spirit of full
disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this
website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words,
when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we
often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep
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charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and
advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or
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